Thailand Guidebook > Provinces > Central Thailand

Nonthaburi is situated in a fertile basin on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. this abundant town is full of fruit and flower plantations as well as historical temples. The town is only 20 kms. from Bangkok and is conveniently accessible by road or river. Nonthaburi has been found in history as a part of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It was once consolidated with Bangkok in 1943 and was re-established as a province in 1946. Nonthaburi occupies an area of 622 square kilometres.

Nonthaburi is administratively divider into six districts: Muang Nonthaburi, Pak Kret; Bang Bua Thong and Sai Noi. Book your hotel in Nonthaburi before you leave home and save money! If you have already visited this Central province, please share your highlights with other visitors to Thailand Guidebook.

Old City Hall This was constructed during the reign of King Rama Vl in a European architectural style with fine carved teak wood decorated all over the building. The front area of the city hall facing the Chao Phraya River is used as a rest area for the public.

Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat This royal temple is located on the western side of the river in Tambon Bang Si Muang, Amphoe Muang. It was constructed under the royal command of King Rama lll to the dedication of his mother and grandparents who resided in this area. The temple was built in a mixed Thai and Chinese architectural style with bricks from the demolition of an old fortress at the mouth of Khlong Om. It houses a number of shrines and some extremely beautiful paintings on the chapel walls. Beautiful scriptures have been added to the gable, door and window frames of the chapel.

Wat Khema Phirataram This riverside temple, located on Phibun Sonaqkhram Road, is 2 kms. south of the town centre. It was built during the Ayutthaya period and was later renovated in the reigns of King Rama II and IV of the Rattanakosin era. The main pagoda called "Phra Maha Chedi" contains Lord Buddha's relics. There are buddha images of the Ayutthaya period enshrined in the ubosot.

Wat Prasat This temple is on the Bang Kruai-Bang Bua Thong Road or 2 kms. from the river bank in Tambon Bang Krang, Amphoe Muang. The ubosot is of the Ayutthaya style having sophisticated craftsmanship. The carving designs on the gable of the niche and the mural paintings in the ubosot maintain special characteristics of the Nonthaburi school of arts.

Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit This is a Thammayutti monastery located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Talat, Amphoe Pak Kret. Every Sunday and Buddhist holy day, its pleasant compound is always crowded with Buddhists who come to the offer food to the monks and listen to the sermon given by the abbot, Phra Thap Wisuthi - Methi. (Panya Nandha Bhikku)

Wat Ku This temple is located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Phut, 4 kms. from Amphoe Pak Kret. It was constructed at the time when the Mon people, led by Phraya Cheng, migrated into the Kingdom during the reign of King Taksin of the Thonburi era (late 18th century). There is a building constructed to commemorate King Rama V's Queen Sunantha who drowned in a shipwreck. Her body was temporarily placed in the temple prior to transfer into Bangkok.

Ko Kret This is a tiny island in the Chao Phraya River, accessible by boat from Wat Sanam Nua, not far from the Pak Kret District Office. On it live a community of craftsmen famous for their distinctive style of pottery which dates back many centuries. Ko Kret pots are known for their fine, red-black glazed surface and intricate design. The islanders are the descendants of the Mon people, and they have managed to retain the skills of their forefathers.

Wat Paramaiyikawat This ethnic Mon style temple is located on Ko Kret. It was constructed by the Mon immigrants during the Thonburi period and was later restored in the reign of King Rama V. The temple houses wall paintings, a marble reclining Buddha image crafted in the Mon style and a chapel decorated with delicate stucco work on the doors and windows.

Wat Sao Thong Thong This temple of Ayutthaya period is located on Ko Kret. It is noted for an extremely beautiful Thai-style golden cone ceiling above the principle Buddha image in the chapel.

Bang Sai Garden This orchid farm is situated only 2 kms. from Pak Kret Intersection along Chaeng Watthana Road. Orchids of several kinds and colours, as well as often decorated plants are available for gardens. Call 583-8231 for more information.

Wat Amphawan This temple of the late Ayutthaya period is located by Khlong (canal) Om in Tambon Bang Muang, Amphoe Bang Yai. It can be accessed either by boat from the Bang Yai District Office or by the Bang Bua Thong-Taling Chan route. It houses a wooden "Ho Trai Kiang Nam" (a hall for keeping a scripture situated in a pond) constructed in magnificent Thai architecture with intricate designs.

Plant Market Nonthaburi is one of Thailand?s major producer for flower and fruit plants. On a journey along the Taling Chan-Suphean Buri route Via Bang Kruai and Bang Yai Districts, a vast variety of plants, both flower and fruit, are available for gardeners.

Nonthaburi Fruits Fair This annual fair is held during April-June to celebrate the abundance of such local fruits as durian, mangosteen and mangoes, then at their peak of succulent ripeness. Besides stalls selling orchards and local products, there are colourful processions of floats decorated with fruits and flowers, beauty pageants, fruits contests, exhibitions of provincial handicrafts and agricultural produce, and local entertainment.

COPYRIGHT: Information on this page is used with permission from the Tourist Authority of Thailand. Additional information from brochures produced locally and notes made by Panrit Daoruang and Richard Barrow. All photographs on this web site are the property of Panrit Daoruang.